- Original Release Date: 17 Feb 2003
- Label: Sony Classical
- Copyright: (P) 1989 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
- Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
- Total Length: 51:14
- Genres:
- ASIN: B001I5KYQQ
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 10,657 in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 in MP3 Albums)
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| Song Title | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play | 1. Metamorphosis/Metamorphosis One (Instrumental) | 5:39 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 2. Metamorphosis/Metamorphosis Two (Instrumental) | 7:21 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 3. Metamorphosis/Metamorphosis Three (Instrumental) | 5:32 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 4. Metamorphosis/Metamorphosis Four (Instrumental) | 7:01 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 5. Metamorphosis/Metamorphosis Five (Instrumental) | 5:06 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 6. Mad Rush (Instrumental) | 13:44 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 7. Wichita Sutra Vortex (Instrumental) | 6:51 | £0.69 |
Product details |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Warren M. Fisher
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This is the perfect introduction to music of Glass. Featuring his hallmark pounding chords and rippling arpeggios, this is also richly harmonic and among the composers most accesible albums. Reminiscent of Satie, but still uniquely Glass, this is a bracing, deeply evocative listening experience.
If you like Glass you'll love this. If you're a newcomer, this could be the perfect introduction to the preeminent composer of his generation.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you like piano I would thoroughly recommend this album. The best comparison for this music is Satie. The pieces are simple but melodious. Philip Glass has been categorised as 'minimalist' but this is only partly true, in that, the tunes are repetitive but have great rhythm. I've waited ages for this album to be re-released - and now it has I'm more than pleased.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By James Kirk
Format:Audio CD
Solo Piano represents some of the more minimal work of Philip Glass. Very different in feel to say Powaqattsi or some of his other film scores this bears more resemblance to the soundtrack to The Hours. In fact part Two of Metamorphosis formed basis of the main theme from this soundtrack.
Whilst themeatically repetative throughout the CD, the various compositions were produced for different occasions, and collated on this album; Metamorphosis takes it's name from a play based on Kafka's short story. Parts Three and Four were written as accompaniment to the play, and parts One and Two use themes from Glass' soundtrack to The Thin Blue Line by Errol Morris. The piece Mad Rush was written for the Dalai Lama's public appearance in 1981 in New York for his entrance into the Cathedral of St. John the Divine played by Glass on the organ reinterpreted on this album for piano.
Metamorphosis sets the compositional style of the album with a recurring theme that is continued throughout all of the pieces. As the piece develops the complexity of the music increases. Rolling arpeggios are added to the main theme in Metamorphosis Two, and in Metamorphosis Three heavy yet refined chords are projected over the lulling main theme. Metamorphosis Four adds further complexity to the main theme reprising the rolling arpeggios as well as the chords from Two, which come across as stronger elements within the piece. Metamorphosis Five reprises Metamorphosis One yet the sound of the piano is dampened conveying a greater sense of simplicity and calm to the piece. The two pieces enclose the composition thematically and typify the change of mood throughout, finishing with little sense of relief.... Read more ›
Whilst themeatically repetative throughout the CD, the various compositions were produced for different occasions, and collated on this album; Metamorphosis takes it's name from a play based on Kafka's short story. Parts Three and Four were written as accompaniment to the play, and parts One and Two use themes from Glass' soundtrack to The Thin Blue Line by Errol Morris. The piece Mad Rush was written for the Dalai Lama's public appearance in 1981 in New York for his entrance into the Cathedral of St. John the Divine played by Glass on the organ reinterpreted on this album for piano.
Metamorphosis sets the compositional style of the album with a recurring theme that is continued throughout all of the pieces. As the piece develops the complexity of the music increases. Rolling arpeggios are added to the main theme in Metamorphosis Two, and in Metamorphosis Three heavy yet refined chords are projected over the lulling main theme. Metamorphosis Four adds further complexity to the main theme reprising the rolling arpeggios as well as the chords from Two, which come across as stronger elements within the piece. Metamorphosis Five reprises Metamorphosis One yet the sound of the piano is dampened conveying a greater sense of simplicity and calm to the piece. The two pieces enclose the composition thematically and typify the change of mood throughout, finishing with little sense of relief.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Sentinel
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're a Glass fan, simply go ahead and buy this album, secure in the knowledge that these are haunting, memorable scores. The insistent pulse, overlaid by the slow rolling refrain of melody, and 'hooks' which lodge deep inside your psyche (I've just returned from an hour's riverbank walk with my dog, and echoes of Glass' melodies inside my head appeared to mirror the incoming tide by my feet, all the time I was out). This is music of sufficient depth/complexity to make it difficult to believe we're only listening to piano (an instrument which can overstay its welcome for me, unless it's Keith Jarrett).If you're new to Glass, have a listen to the samples, then decide, but be warned: he can prove very addictive if you have ears to hear!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For an intermediate pianist (anywhere beyond beginner) like myself, this music is a gift. Tuneful, relatively easy to learn and play, it gives you an insight into the preoccupations of those post-serial composers (Adams, Reich and Glass) who returned to tonality through an emphatic repetition of basic harmonies. Rather than avoiding simplicity and repetition, this music revels in them. Playing it yourself is like enjoying a familiar journey, knowing where you're going all the time. It's perfect commuter (train) music , transforming the daily repetition into a dreamscape. The haunting Metamorphoses were written originally for Errol Morris's film, The Thin Blue Line. The score of all the pieces on this disc is published by Chester Music. Philip Glass's own versions are a lesson and an inspiration for DIY pianists.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By J. Carr
Format:Audio CD
This is truly a fantastic album, and a great introduction to arguably the greatest living composer.
As the title suggests, it's just Glass and his piano playing, so don't expect any sweeping strings or other instruments at all. The pace of the album is brilliant, with each of the pieces sounding like a more complex version of the last (which essentially they are), ranging from the very simple Metamorphosis One through to Four (Five is simply One with slightly different use of the pedals) and onto the last two tracks which follow a similar pattern.
Don't expect this to be like Beethoven or Chopin, it is repetitive and certainly far simpler musically, but I've found it to be an album for almost any mood - a lazy summer afternoon, lying in bed trying to sleep, working, I pretty much haven't found a situation where I listen to this and want to prematurely stop the album.
This is definitely worth the buy, and I would recommend trying out some more Glass if you are a fan.
As the title suggests, it's just Glass and his piano playing, so don't expect any sweeping strings or other instruments at all. The pace of the album is brilliant, with each of the pieces sounding like a more complex version of the last (which essentially they are), ranging from the very simple Metamorphosis One through to Four (Five is simply One with slightly different use of the pedals) and onto the last two tracks which follow a similar pattern.
Don't expect this to be like Beethoven or Chopin, it is repetitive and certainly far simpler musically, but I've found it to be an album for almost any mood - a lazy summer afternoon, lying in bed trying to sleep, working, I pretty much haven't found a situation where I listen to this and want to prematurely stop the album.
This is definitely worth the buy, and I would recommend trying out some more Glass if you are a fan.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Solo Glass
I can only take so much glass at any one sitting - even though I am a huge fan. If you like his piano music then buy this CD but I prefer to mix my Glass, adding a dash of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Claudia Saatchi
3.0 out of 5 stars
HELP! Which of Philip Glass's albums contains the track "The Lake"?
In the car I heard a wonderful track "The Lake" (or was it the name of album?)but now can't find it to buy it. Can anyone help?
Published 4 months ago by notification
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glass plays Glass
I like most, if not all, of Glass's work and particularly those for piano;No criticism can be made of recording or reproduction of the disc. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. J. Pearson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aching glass
This is achingly beautiful music. Spare and dramatic, its simplicity is hypnotic and its emotion is real and deep. Read more
Published 18 months ago by jfitzg
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful melancholy
Philip Glass's minimalism and insistent, insidiously compulsive repetitions are rendered into something sweet and accessible in `Solo Piano', which has Glass himself playing the... Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2010 by Lady Fancifull
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant - but not for everyone
Glass is a minimalist, and this album is more minimal than much of his work. This album isn't your average piano concerto, it's repetitive, rhythmic and hauntingly beautiful in... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by terry roquito
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece
Metamorphosis is a masterpiece. All five songs leave you breathless. Would not suit people with prejudices on what classical music has to be. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2008 by Payt
2.0 out of 5 stars
Irritating!
Having read the reviews regarding "Solo Piano", I decided to take the plunge and purchase my first Philip Glass. Read more
Published on 26 May 2008 by Philip Connolly
2.0 out of 5 stars
Could do with a good edit
This is, as others have said, a representative introduction to the music of Philip Glass. Some pieces have their moments, and some are quite enjoyable for the first couple of... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2007 by Eoin Conway
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